Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Alma & Oskar portrays the stereotypes society imposes on men and women: Director Dieter Berner
‘Acting more important than resemblance in physical characteristics while making biopic films’
#IFFIWood, 21 November 2022
The 53rd edition of International Film Festival of India opened yesterday with the world premiere of Alma and Oskar-an Austrian biopic film which explores the passionate relationship between the Grand Dame of Viennese society Alma Mahler and the Austrian subversive artist Oskar Kokoschka. Elaborating on the genesis of the movie, Director of the film Dieter Berner said that his readings about Alma and Oskar’s tragic love affair lead to the idea of making a movie. He was talking at IFFI Table Talks along with the cast and crew of the film.
By trailing the tempestuous relationship between two iconic personalities of the time, Alma & Oskar also tries to portray the stereotypical role models society imposes upon men and women, Dieter Berner said. “As someone who comes from the acting field, I have always been interested in human beings and characters. While going through the memoirs of Alma Mahler and Oskar Kokoschka, I found it quite different. The novel written by my co writer about their relationship intrigued me more,” Dieter added.
Dieter Berner further added that he has empathy for both his characters. “Many relationships have great problems. Though Oskar wanted to marry Alma, this relationship did not end in marriage. We have to paint a new picture about the culture of love”, he said. Answering a question, the Director made it clear that though the story happens in the time of First World War, his movie is not trying to analyse that connection between love and war, since it is very difficult. Recalling the difficulties faced during the casting of the film, Dieter said that the possibility to act is more important than resemblance in physical characteristics while making biopic films.
Throwing light on the demeanor of his character, Valentine Postlmayr who played the lead protagonist said that Oskar Kokoschka was a very emotional person who wanted to experience love fully. “Oscar’s strong sense of possession towards Alma is a gateway to violence. It is this urge of Oskar to possess Alma fully that led him to dehumanize her in the form of a portrait,” he explained.
Johanna Schernz, the Producer of the film said that the greatest challenge was to tell a historical story in modern times without falling into the trap of it looking like a documentary. Expressing his thoughts, Christoph Brunner, Editor of the film said that finding a balance between the historic details and emotional turmoil of the characters was challenging for him at the editing desk. Tina Tiefnis, Production Assistant of the film also participated in the press conference.
Synopsis
In the 1900s, Kokoschka was an upcoming painter, influenced by Gustav Klimt, yet with his own expressionist style. Considered one of the greatest expressionist artists of the 20th century, Kokoschka created his most famous work using Alma as a model. A composer in her own right, Alma was a vibrant figure on Vienna's cultural scene, and by the time she started her fiery affair with Kokoschka, she had buried her first husband, and begun a relationship with architect Walter Gropius. Alma and Oskar' is a testament to the power and perils of their passion.
About the Director
Dieter Berner was born and raised in Vienna and Berlin. He has directed about 40 movies for cinema and television, received international awards, and participated in film festivals all over the world. His Film 'Egon Schiele Death and the Maiden'  was presented in Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, USA, Japan and more than 40 countries.PIB IFFI CAST AND CREW | Bibin/ Darshana | IFFI 53 - 151
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